Push for waste-disposal fee

The Health Department is pushing for the collection of a monthly waste-disposal fee, which may be up to Bt150 for each household.

The department's director-general Pornthep Siriwanarangsun, yesterday described the fee as a way to ensure proper waste disposal, which will bring about a better environment.

"Up to this point, people have paid a small fee for waste collection only, not the real disposal of the waste," Pornthep said yesterday.

He was speaking at an event held to mark World Environment Day, which falls on June 5.

According to him, Thailand generates more than 15 million tonnes of waste each year. Of the 41,532 tonnes generated daily, 8,766 tonnes are from Bangkok. Most dumpsites, according to a survey by relevant authorities, have not disposed waste in line with sanitary standards.

"So, there is a risk of chemicals leaking from dumped items into artesian water and nearby canals," Pornthep said.